Sharps disposal protocol

Studio: [STUDIO NAME]
Effective date: ____________________
Review date: ____________________ (annual minimum)

This protocol governs the safe disposal of sharps in this tattoo studio under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005, and the UKHSA infection prevention and control toolkit. All artists, apprentices, and assistants must understand and follow it.

1. Sharps containers

• Specification: BS 7320 compliant (or BS EN ISO 23907, the harmonised European equivalent).
• Colour: yellow body with orange lid (non-cytotoxic infectious sharps stream).
• Stable, supported: never balanced on equipment that could be knocked.
• Wall-mounted where possible, within reach of every workstation.
• Never on the floor.
• Never beside the client's walking path.

2. What goes in the sharps container

ONLY:

• Used needle cartridges.
• Used loose needles.
• Used scalpels and razors used in skin prep (single-use only).
• Anything that has punctured skin and could puncture again.

NEVER:

• Used gloves (clinical waste stream, orange bag).
• Used barrier film (clinical waste stream).
• Empty ink bottles (general waste unless contaminated; clinical waste if blood-contaminated).
• Used paper towels (clinical waste).
• Liquids.

3. Procedure at point of use

1. Use the cartridge / needle.
2. Drop directly into the sharps container at the workstation. Do not pause, set aside, or recap.
3. Never recap a used needle. Recapping causes the majority of needlestick injuries.
4. Never overfill. Check the fill line on every drop.

4. When the container reaches the fill line

1. Stop adding to it.
2. Seal with the integrated closure.
3. Label with:
   • Date sealed.
   • Studio name.
   • Initials of person sealing.
4. Move to secure storage immediately, locked cabinet, restricted access, away from public areas.
5. Replace with a new container at the workstation.

5. Collection by licensed contractor

• Sharps must be collected by a registered hazardous waste carrier authorised by the Environment Agency (England) / SEPA (Scotland) / NRW (Wales) / NIEA (Northern Ireland).
• Maximum storage before collection: 7 days typical. Verify with your contractor.
• Consignment note signed by both parties at collection.
• Retention: 3 years for hazardous waste consignment notes under the 2005 Regulations.
• Storage location of consignment notes: ____________________

6. If a needle is dropped

1. Stop the procedure.
2. Do not pick up by hand. Use pliers, tweezers, or a folded magazine.
3. Drop into sharps container.
4. Decontaminate the area with EN 1276 disinfectant.
5. Note the incident in the studio log even if no injury.

7. If a needlestick injury occurs

See needlestick injury protocol for the full protocol. Summary:

First aid immediately

1. Encourage bleeding by gentle squeezing around (not on) the wound. Do not suck.
2. Wash with soap and copious running water for 3-5 minutes minimum.
3. Apply waterproof dressing.

Within hours

1. Stop work. Do not return to the client.
2. Document the incident (date, time, mechanism, source).
3. Go to A&E or call 111. HIV PEP within 1 hour ideal, 72 hours maximum window.
4. Discuss HBV booster / HBIG with medical staff if not fully vaccinated.

Follow-up

1. Baseline blood test within first week.
2. Repeat testing at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months per medical advice.
3. RIDDOR report if BBV infection results, under the RIDDOR 2013 Regulations.
4. Document the full incident in the studio's incident log.

8. Training

Every artist and apprentice must:

• Read and sign this protocol on starting work.
• Refresh training annually.
• Be familiar with the location of A&E and 111 emergency contact.

Staff name	Date signed	Last refresh

9. Studio contract details

• Clinical waste contractor: ____________________
• Contractor licence verified at: [URL of Environment Agency register entry]
• Contractor phone: ____________________
• Collection frequency: ____________________
• Emergency contact for sharps incident:
  • A&E: nearest hospital A&E is at ____________________
  • NHS 111: 111
  • Studio first aid lead: ____________________

10. Records to maintain

• Sharps disposal consignment notes: 3 years.
• Sharps container sealing log: 12 months.
• Needlestick incident log, indefinitely.
• Staff training record, for length of employment + 3 years.

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Adaptation notes for studios: customise contractor details and emergency contacts. Display this protocol in the staff area. Reference it in your staff induction. See clinical waste and sharps for the regulatory framework.